Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) Coordinator –  Northeastern Vermont Development Association

 Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) seeks a detail-oriented Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) Coordinator to assist with the successful implementation of Act 172 in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) in close coordination with Vermont Buildings and General Services (BGS), supporting MERP partners/vendors, and NVDA staff. The MERP Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the scheduling and implementation details of the VT Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) and will play a critical role in ensuring that our NEK municipalities have a competitive chance toward receiving $500,000 MERP implementation grants to help improve the energy performance and resiliency of their municipal buildings. The MERP Coordinator position is currently funded through June 30, 2028. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • MERP Grant Application & Implementation Assistance: The MERP Coordinator will support NVDA communities by gathering all relevant and available documents needed for MERP grant applications, building energy assessments, and supporting the implementation of approved municipal projects for weatherization, thermal efficiency, and resiliency.
  • Energy Resilience Programming & Technical Assistance: The MERP Coordinator will provide technical assistance to covered municipalities. This may include guidance on energy issues or goals / resources and training. The MERP Coordinator will support communication and coordination with NVDA municipalities. This includes, but is not limited to: municipal education and outreach, scheduling building energy assessments strategically within the region, coordinating building resilience projects with multiple scopes of work and providing guidance during the project delivery and implementation process (i.e. planning, design, and construction).

This position requires excellent communication, organizational and time management skills. The ideal candidate must be able to prioritize tasks, handle multiple projects simultaneously and ensure that deadlines are met. The MERP Coordinator is expected to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of MERP schedules, grant timelines, and deliverables. Knowledge in building science & energy systems desired, as well as an understanding of, or interest in learning about, historic preservation and ADA building compliance. A strong interest in advancing energy justice and reducing energy burden is also desired. This position offers the flexibility to work from home or in the St. Johnsbury office. Attendance at in-person and night meetings will also be expected. Significant travel time is expected to NEK municipal buildings this fall/winter as MERP energy assessments are conducted. Valid driver’s license required.

The NVDA is the regional planning and economic development corporation for the 50-town, 3-county region of northeast Vermont. Our purpose is to assist the communities in our region with local governance and to work collaboratively with them to address regional issues. Our office is located in St. Johnsbury – a community with vibrant downtown. Our workplace is friendly and highly flexible in terms of both workday and location. We offer competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including health and retirement. The expected annual salary range for this position is $50,000 to 55,000+ depending upon experience.

NVDA believes that a diverse and culturally proficient staff are pivotal to creating an environment free of inequities. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and expected to strengthen such capacity if hired.

NVDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please email a letter of interest and resume (with references and contact information) in a single pdf to David Snedeker, Executive Director at dsnedeker@nvda.net. This position will remain open until filled. To learn more about the NVDA, visit our website at www.nvda.net. No phone calls please.